A LITTLE Sutton business has risen from the ashes of a fire started by burglars.

White Rose estate agents and solicitors in Chester Road was attacked in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Thieves forced the front door and stole an old computer, flat screen and camera before torching an outbuilding at the back.

The blaze seriously damaged the shop's interior. People in the flats above managed to escape unharmed.

White Rose was forced to relocate temporarily to an empty mortgage shop next door while the premises were extensively refurbished.

And on Saturday the firm moved back in.

Cameron Robson, a partner at White Rose, said: 'It's been a long time getting back to normal, but it's worth it. We hope the office is better than before.

'We always intended to move into the old mortgage shop anyway, and have an archway between the two. This shop will now be refurbished, creating an extended showroom.' He thanked his landlord for the refurbishment work and replacing the burnt roof, and staff and customers for bearing with them.

Mr Robson has still not received the official fire investigation report on the blaze, but has his own theory on what occurred that night.

He said: 'I think after someone broke in and found almost nothing to take, they torched the place, maybe out of spite.

'But we don't know officially whether it was arson or just the result of, say, a discarded cigarette.'